A shooting incident involving Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds has left the team shaken, with coach Sean Payton confirming that Reynolds is recovering from his ordeal. Payton described Reynolds as “fortunate” and “pretty shaken up” after being shot in the early morning hours of October 18.
The incident occurred while Reynolds was driving from a strip club, about the time his teammates were returning from their 33-10 win over the Saints on a Thursday night. Reynolds was shot once in his left arm and once in the back of his head, according to reports.
Despite the traumatic experience, Reynolds was present at practice all week, working on a side field as he recovers from a broken finger sustained in a game against Las Vegas earlier this month. He required surgery and landed on injured reserve, missing the Broncos’ game in New Orleans on October 17.
Reynolds’ teammates are rallying around him, with cornerback Pat Surtain II expressing relief that he’s safe. “First things first, I’m glad he’s OK,” Surtain said after clearing the concussion protocol. “Obviously wish him the best on his recovery because situations like that, just him being able to make it out of that situation is a blessing for him and for this organization.”
Left tackle Garett Bolles, who shares a locker with Reynolds, echoed Surtain’s sentiments, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “We could have lost a brother. That’s really what it is,” Bolles said. “You know, there’s not time or place for an altercation, especially in this day and age…. Someone trying to take another person’s life is just unacceptable.”
Denver police have arrested two men, 35-year-old Luis Mendoza and 42-year-old Burr Charlesworth, in connection with the shootings. The men are being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. Police are still trying to identify possible additional suspects and have sealed the arrest reports to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Reynolds, in his ninth NFL season, has played in five games with one start for the Broncos this season. He’s caught 12 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown, and signed a two-year, $9 million contract with Denver last offseason. The 29-year-old wide receiver has also played for the Titans, Rams, and Lions, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Texas A&M.
